The Blitzkrieg of the Bears…It's ON!

STUART - Tara Biek Creative has initiated war on Eric Ingraham's Allstate Insurance and on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 5:30 p.m., the bulk of the battle will take place at Carson's Tavern.

In April (Child Abuse Awareness Month) 2008, hundreds of concerned citizens lined the Roosevelt Bridge in Martin County, the Seaway Bridge in St. Lucie County and the Barber Bridge in Indian River County to bring awareness to child abuse. Each held a Teddy Bear representing an abused child sheltered, loved and protected by Hibiscus Children's Center.

Since then the Teddy Bear has grown to become a Hibiscus symbol of the safe and happy childhood to which every child is entitled to. Now, businesses have risen to the challenge to ensure that children removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment sleep peacefully tonight and every night.

Tara Biek Creative and Allstate Insurance are two of the 120 local businesses that have pledged to raise money for the Hibiscus Children's Center through the Teddy Bear campaign. To make things interesting, the two companies have sounded off to see who can raise the most funds. And this year it's personal as siblings Amber Ducote (Team TBC) and Austin Tyo (Team Allstate) go head to head in battle.

A cocktail hour has been planned at Carson's Tavern located at 2883 SE Ocean Blvd in Stuart. The event takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. A line will be drawn and you the public will have to decide who to offer your donation to, Team Tara Biek Creative or Team Allstate Insurance. The company with the most donations by the end of the evening goes home embraced in the warmth of victory.

Donation amounts can be small or large. Every bit helps! Those who donate $10 or more will receive a drink ticket good for a domestic draft or glass of house wine. Light appetizers will also be served courtesy of Carson's Tavern.